I’d seen Shiner Bohemian Black Lager on the shelves of Memphis-area grocery stores for awhile now, but never had a chance to pick up a six-pack. When the beer took the gold medal in the German-Style Schwarzbier category in October at the Great American Beer Festival, I knew it was time to try it.

Originally brewed as a limited edition beer to commemorate Spoetzl Brewery’s 97th anniversary, it became a permanent part of Spoetzl’s brand portfolio in 2007.

“Crafted according to exacting old-world standards with imported Czech Saaz, Styrians Hops and selected roasted malts, it’s the darkest beer Shiner brews,” according to the brewery.

So how is it?

The beer pours a dark brown — nearly black — and has a nice, mild coffee-like aroma of roasted malts. Any hop aroma is minimal. The flavor is mild as well — malty with a clean finish, making it a pretty easy-drinking beer.

For those new to craft beers or dark beers, it’s definitely a good starter beer. And it’s got just enough malts to satisfy drinkers with more sophisticated palates.

Texas’ Spoetzl Brewery, maker of Shiner Beers, has been crafting beers for more than a century, but it had never brewed an ale.

That changed in February with the introduction of Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale, described by Shiner as “a classic American Pale Ale.”

The Wild Hare (5.5% ABV, 32 IBUs) will make its way to Memphis in six-packs of 12-oz. bottles next week on June 14. It will be distributed through A.S. Barboro.

“As we start the brewery’s 103rd year, our team is proud to brew this fine pale ale,” said Spoetzl’s brewmaster, Jimmy Mauric. “Shiner Wild Hare gives our brewers the opportunity to now share a great ale with our fans.”

Wild Hare Pale Ale is made with American two-row barley and a blend of Munich and Caramel malts that produce an orange-amber color. U.S. Golding and Bravo hop varieties are used in the kettle and fermenter.

While more than a pound of hops is used to produce each barrel of Wild Hare, the beer is not nearly as hoppy as most American Pale Ales you’ll find these days. There’s a light aroma of citrus hops on the nose, with a taste that’s largely sweet and malty, even a little tangy. Fruit and floral hop flavors are there, but fairly mild for the style.

Overall, this is an easy drinking ale that is a good summer brew and a welcome addition to Shiner’s year-round lineup that includes Shiner Bock and Shiner Blonde.